Evangelical" is a broad descriptor in Brazil, encompassing a range of churches from small rural outlets to megachurches like the Universal Church, where Macedo owns the nation's second-largest TV station and asks for tithes even higher than 10 percent.

The evangelical caucus votes in lockstep on hot-button social issues and is willing to block projects put forth by the presidency because its members know they represent a growing segment of the electorate...In Rousseff's first term, the evangelical caucus blocked her effort to promote gay-tolerance teaching in schools and managed to have their most outspoken anti-gay legislator, Deputy Marco Feliciano, named head of the body's human rights commission — a move that provoked condemnation from Amnesty International and other activist groups.